MODEST drops in cholesterol and blood pressure help slash heart attack risk by four-fifths, experts claim.
Lowering readings also cuts chances of being killed by an episode by two-thirds.
1
Around 170,000 Brits a year die as a result of a heart attack, stroke or other circulatory conditions.
Nearly 15 million adults in the UK suffer from raised blood pressure, while eight million have high cholesterol levels.
Cambridge University researchers analysed data on nearly 440,000 people and assessed the impact of tackling these two major risk factors.
They found moderate reductions in readings caused a dramatic drop in the likelihood of cardiovascular events.
Heart problems fell by 80 per cent in those whose bad cholesterol was 1mmol lower – roughly equivalent of taking a statin – and blood pressure was down by 10mmHg – the same as taking a tablet for the condition.
Symptoms of heart attack in men and women
These are the signs the British Heart Foundation is calling for everyone to be more aware of:
- Chest pain or discomfort – the most recognised symptom of a heart attack though not always present
- Pain radiating to the arms, neck, jaw, stomach and back can all be symptoms of a heart attack. You may experience pain in just one or all of these places; for some people the pain is severe but for others just uncomfortable
- A feeling of indigestion or reflux type pain – this is often ignored in the hope that it will pass
- Feeling sick, sweaty, breathless or lightheaded with associated chest pain or discomfort
- A general feeling of being unwell or lethargic can also be an indicator of a heart attack when accompanied by chest pain or discomfort
And their chance of a fatal attack plummeted by 67 per cent.
Speaking at the world’s largest gathering of heart experts, lead researcher Professor Brian Ference said: “Heart and circulatory diseases steal the lives of 168,000 people each year in the UK.
“Even small reductions in both ‘bad’ cholesterol and blood pressure for sustained periods of time can pay very big health dividends, and dramatically reduce the lifetime risk of developing heart and circulatory disease.”
Even small reductions in both ‘bad’ cholesterol and blood pressure for sustained periods of time can pay very big health dividends, and dramatically reduce the lifetime risk of developing heart and circulatory disease
Professor Brian Ference
Experts said millions more high risk Brits should be given statins and blood pressure pills.
The genetic study, funded British Heart Foundation and published in JAMA, was presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Paris.
Scientists looked at people with genes that are linked to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
They then compared them to other healthy adults to calculate the benefit.
BHF medical director Professor Sir Nilesh Samani said: “This research again demonstrates that high blood pressure and raised cholesterol are key risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. But how many of us know our numbers for these, or have made sustained efforts to lower them?
“Hopefully, the findings reported today that the risk could be reduced by as much as 80 per cent, can act as a motivator for long-term change.
“Millions of people are living with untreated high blood pressure or raised cholesterol, both of which can be lowered with lifestyle changes and medication.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
